Spottings & Jottings nr. 97 - 12th
August 2016
updated and corrected 13th August 2016
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Editorial
Well the fatal day has come and gone, as on 20th July, and a couple of days after, some 54 bus services in Oxfordshire ceased to operate. This, as a result of swingeing cuts in transport funding by Oxfordshire County Council. Hugh Jaeger has sent a letter published under Jottings further down this page but suffice to say that a number of areas are left without provision of any bus services. Whilst so many now have cars and often use bicycles, children have school bus services, what of those who do not ?
The elderly, who have worked, paid taxes rely on such services, as do many others who are not blessed with the where with all to have a car. So not having a car, these people are left to try and fend for themselves. Whilst concessionary travel is one of the major revenue problems on tendered services,(seemingly Oxfordshire pay 37p in the £.) so that many such services are used by concession holders, the overall traffic situation is not helped by more cars using our road networks every year. One wonders if the time is fast approaching when a brave government is going to have to do something to restrict car use in city and town centres?
One can imagine the outcry any such restrictions may raise but one only has to witness the inevitable and increasing traffic problems, on all but the most minor roads, to realise that something has to be done.
This bodes well for public transport and the future developments when, maybe, services are restored to rural areas, providing, not only the ageing population but also an increasing number of working people and students, who will thank operators for providing services which now have ceased to exist.
I could foresee a time when the vast majority of cities and towns, have out of town car parks and shuttle buses running people into the centres. Oxford is, of course, a prime example of the success of such services and an example of this helping long distance commuters is provided by Thornhill Park & Ride where many users actually catch services to London and the airports as well as the city centre.
This reduces traffic on the motorways but the future must hold some form of bus/coach priority to further encourage car users to take the bus ! The M4 bus lane towards London from Heathrow was a success for sometime but the use by the then Prime Minister's car to beat the jam did not help and it has now disappeared. The buses/coaches with three, four and five times as many people as the cars they join in the jams must bear the delays and discomforts as well.
During the 2012 Olympics the "Olympic Lanes" on the A40 were open to London coach services and an excellent reliability was established. How improved services would be today if such a lane existed and on time journeys were possible. One often feels, as a coach driver, when people ask "how long will the journey take?", that such a question is tempting fate and something will happen to delay the service!!
The future holds great possibilities, if only someone has the courage to take the "bull by the horns" and solve this traffic dilemma !
The inevitable delays on the M40, London bound, every Sunday evening or end
of bank holiday.
Regatta launch
I had booked an appointment with Carousel in Marlow on the first day of their new X80 Regatta service between High Wycombe and Reading via Marlow and Henley and I was not disappointed.
The branding is excellent and even on that first morning loading were very good for a brand new service. Three buses had been prepared for the service being StreetLites 403-405.
I wnet to Marlow to record the service thorough the town and took up post by Platts Garage, where Oxford Road faces West Street.
Carousel 404 on West Street - Marlow works the X80 1142 departure on 25th
July.
Two ladies were sitting in the bus shelter waiting, I expect, for the Arriva
service but seemed delighted to take this nice red bus!
The lady on the pavement seems to be saying "have a good journey, dear" to
her friend.
A 1930 4.5 litre Bentley came from the Henley direction, to take four star
fuel at Platts, which made a nice background for 405 coming the other way.
This service was also spot on time and made the turn into Oxford Road for
its pick up.
403 shows off the near side branding
The outer of the timetable for the service.
Climbing out of the Thames Valley.
An hour later I was waiting for the next service from Marlow into
town and was surprised to find Citaro 871 working this service.
It, nevertheless, had a full and correct destination display and was making
a spirited effort on this steep roadway.
I learned later that a driver had taken the wrong bus instead leaving only
871 instead of 403.
There is no doubt that this competition is what deregulation was all about and the public can receive a better service as a result.
NEW University Shuttle Bus Service
Andy Churchill writes "The university of Oxford has announced at the end of April 2016 that a new shuttle bus service is to be introduced on the 18th July 2016 which will link the key science campuses around Oxfordshire.
The shuttle bus
service will link the University of Oxford's science area in Parks Road with
the Old Road campus in Headington, close to the hospitals where the
uni has numbers of both students and staff based and
the Harwell Science and Innovation campus. The route will be known as the
'Science Transit Shuttle' and will run every 30 minutes on weekdays between
7.am and 7.pm and will be run by an Oxford newcomer UNO of
Hertfordshire a subsidiary of the university of Hertfordshire. The
shuttle bus will initially be for the use of university students and staff
and Harwell campus but the long term plan is to open it to the general
public while funding is being sought from the government local growth fund
to secure buses which will be Zero-Emissions for the service.
The latest news regarding the UNI Shuttle service is that another O licence number being (PH1145881) has been applied for under the name Universitybus Ltd , in the western traffic area for a 10 vehicle operation in Oxford, we await further news and details."
KM64OEC on the Science Transit Shuttle on 22nd
July by Gavin Francis.
The rail network advised the following:
Flooding in the area has notably increased since 2009, impacting homes and
businesses, as well as the safe running of trains.
From the end of July 2016, during a 16 day line temporary period of
disruption, we will be:
The design for this scheme has been developed in collaboration with the Environment Agency to ensure that our works do not increase the risk of flooding elsewhere but also to "future proof" any subsequent works the Environment Agency may undertake to alleviate flooding in the wider area.
As a result of this work dozens of buses and coaches, from a large number of operators, have been shuttling passengers to and from Oxford train station. Beckett Street car park has been used to head up this operation and many pictures were taken over the period by Gavin Francis, some of which are included below.
The variety of operators on this contract can be seen in the pictures above.
As can be in the pictures here the operators were from far and wide.
First Bristol, Edwards of Llantwit Fardre, Lucketts, NAT from South Wales
and more locally Pulhams all had vehicles involved.
Oxfordshire Bus Enthusiasts Society
The Oxfordshire Bus Enthusiasts Society was formed in June 2010 and aims to
provide an informal monthly social meeting in Oxford for those with an
interest in buses. Meetings are normally held on the 3rd Tuesday of each month
and normally take the form of a picture show with local and guest
speakers. A small charge is made to cover the cost of hiring the function
room and this is usually around £1 for members per meeting depending on numbers.
For non-members a charge of £3 per head is made.
A detailed programme of meetings can be found at the following link and we hope many of you will attend future meetings.
On 5th July the society took a trip to Bicester for a visit to Grayline. Marcus Lapthorn has kindly sent some pictures from this visit.
The coach on the left was once with the Oxford tube.
I believe that this was the coach used to transport members.
I am sure that this was most enjoyable visit!
When readers take copies of pictures from the OCBP site
Some of the contributors to this site have noticed that their pictures are appearing on e-bay sites selling such things.
Needless to say this is a theft of copyright and one which I deplore!
I would not wish to have to watermark photographs, thereby making them unsalable as such but if this practice continues I shall be left with no alternative. I am sure this would detract from the pleasure so many of you get from the OCBP.
May I please ask readers to do two things?
1/ If you see any photos on sale please let me know and where they are appearing.
2/ If you are someone who has copied and sold photos please desist as this is theft and I will have to take legal action against anyone found doing so.
The site is free to all readers and I pay a price to publish the pages which is not passed on.
Please respect those freedoms and I hope I may not have to mention this matter again.
Well, just an apology to make with regard to this issue. Contributions have been so high that I have run out of time to include all in this issue.
I have held those, not included, over to the next issue in September and hope those affected will understand.
I do very much appreciate the contributions, without which, this page would not be so well read and enjoyed.
Thanks to all.
Malcolm Crowe - Editor - OCBP - 12th August 2016
Spottings
Observations and pictures
Angel Exec K16AET in STOKENCHURCH on 6th July
by Gavin Francis.
Another picture of Golden Tours new Volvo B5TL,
which may have been built as a stock vehicle by Wrights,
seen on Buckingham Palace Road on 9th July by
Gavin Francis.
Ouibus Dutch registered 64-BGK-6 on the
Brussels route turns on to Buckingham Palace Road on 7th July by Gavin
Francis.
Although RATP has had these buses for a while we have not featured them on
these pages so far.
Original Tour of London YLY599 LO15OLS
Following on from recent news, Akcess only operated route 60 on Fridays and one other route which I think was the 91.
APL were short of drivers and handed back to the council, routes 42 and 43 from Calne to Marlborough but got two other routes back.
Routes 42 and 43 wwent to Thamesdown who obtained two white E20D buses. These are:
108 YY16YJE named Peacock
109 YY16YJF named Nightingale
Nightingale seen at Marlborough on 17th June by Derek Wiggins.
The route started on 31st May but the two new buses were not available until a week or so later. Older buses were used pending the arrival of the two E20Ds.
Pulhams route 64 ceased on 20th July due to OCC cuts.
Go Ride route 90 ceased on 23rd July being replaced by West Berks Council Connect 47 on 25th July.
The International Air Tattoo this year saw Stagecoach use buses from many other depot - South provided 18194, 18311, 18510 and 18511, South West sent 17006, 17010, 17038, 17055 and 17670 with London sending 17792,17793,17829,17830,17835,17846,17867,17868 and 17869. WEST had OLYMPIAN 16128 plus 18017,18314,18377 and 19108 plus privately owned G103AAD.
Most buses used the old Eastcott Road garage for storage. On Sunday morning I saw a large number of WEST route 10 branded buses and LONDON Tridents on the Shuttles.
Stagecoach West at Fairford - L-R
17670-17006-17038-17868-17793-17792-17869-17835-17829 seen on 28th June by
Derek Wiggins.
Route 98 at Didcot by Mike Lewis
Mike writes
"I
have taken two photos of different double deck buses on the 98 route in
Didcot that you might be interested in for your Oxford bus page
One is B9905[f/n] T186CLO, a Dennis Trident still
in the livery Of McGills of Scotland, I don't know if Walters own this or it
is just on loan. The second one is H809AGX Leyland Olympian that was new to
Metrobus but came from Village Coaches in Sussex in 2015. This service both
times I have seen it has brought two unusual vehicles on this service which
is run by Walters of Forest Hill.
The photo of the McGills Trident was taken was 3rd August and the Olympian
was today 11th August, notice the enthusiasts upstairs on the Olympian, the
driver was also friendly as well.
Other pictures
Some of may know Dave Spencer who runs a site offering bus videos from all
over the country.
He was in Wycombe on 5th August with his camera and I am sure will provide
an interesting record of the days comings and goings.
His site may be found at
http://www.pmpfilms.com/home.html
Late news, already alluded to elsewhere in this report, is the arrival at Wycombe of some Citaros in MAX livery. Nick Cherry caught one on crew training yesterday in Eden Bus Station.
It is understood that this is for the 800/850 to be "MAXED" shortly as an answer to the Carousel Regatta.
Arriva 3012 BJ12YPX on driver training 11th
August by Nick Cherry. This bus has come from Tamworth.
Decker on the 150 again! 6000 is an unusual site on the 1345 Aylesbury -
Milton Keynes in Leighton High St on July 7th 2016.
At 14ft 3in clearance this decker had to take the Southcourt road diversion
in Linslade to avoid the 13ft 9 low railway bridge in Linslade
Picture by Nick Ross.
Pete Cannon noted on 19.07.2017 "inbound towards High Wycombe at Wycombe Marsh 4517-KL52CWJ suffered a breakdown and 3868-KE07EVXcame to the rescue. The mechanic didn't do anything but drove off with 4517 leaving the driver with 3868 who took it out of service back to Wycombe bus station!"
"Then to my amazement the other side of the road
4525KE030UM also broke down outbound on service 37 to Maidenhead.
Gavin Francis notes a Citaro on the 280 in Wheatley on 24th July seen below.
White coach
4072 was back on the
757 today. Gavin remarks saying
"look at the
brackets holding the engine cover. I think a farmer maybe missing a couple
of brackets from a fence!
Arriva 3019 on the 280 near Frideswide Sq on 23rd July by Gavin Francis.
This would appear to have transferred from Tamworth.
4713 has arrived at Wycombe having previously been at Wigston and is seen
here on 5th August on a 37 working - picture by Malcolm Crowe.
Luke Braham has sent quite a report on matters Arriva -
"Aylesbury are to begin two new services as of the 4th
September. One of the new services is the X30 between Aylesbury and
High Wycombe with the other being the X8 between Thame and Oxford with it
serving Aylesbury twice in the morning and twice in the evening.
Route 300/X30:
There will be a revised timetable on this service with one bus an hour
operating as route X30 between Aylesbury and High Wycombe this would have
previously operated as a route 300. The X30 will serve Princes Risborough
and Saunderton and enter High Wycombe along the West Wycombe Road. The
addition of the X30 service is not expected to affect the PVR of the 300. A
timetable for the new 300/X30 service can be found at the following link on
the Bucks CC website:
http://www.buckscc.gov.uk/media/4222932/300_x30-september-2016.pdf
Route 280/X8:
There will be a revised timetable on the 280 with a few additional journeys
with the introduction of new route X8. The X8 will operate every hour
between Thame and Oxford omitting Wheatley. There is two early morning
journeys on the X8 which will start at Aylesbury through to Oxford which
will also omit Haddenham before serving Thame with their also being two
return journeys from Oxford in the evening in a similar fashion. The X8 will
also operate as a ‘Sapphire’ service along with the 280. A new timetable for
the 280/X8 service can be found at the following link on the Bucks CC
website:
http://www.buckscc.gov.uk/media/4222927/280_x8-september-2016.pdf
With the introduction of route X8 on the 4th September, Wright Pulsar 2s 3796-8 FL63DWW/X/Y have been sent from Arriva Midlands’ Thurmaston depot to refurbishment to Sapphire specification. Once completed they are expected to transfer to the Aylesbury depot. 3767 attended Showbus in 2014 with Arriva Midlands which I have included a photo of the bus representing Arriva Midlands at the event.
Alexander ALX400 6004 KL52CWT is now a High Wycombe based bus with similar 6280 Y522UGC transferring to Aylesbury in return.
Alexander ALX400 6013 KL52CXE has been withdrawn with accident damage and is now a source of spare parts. East Lancs Lowlander 4741 PN52XRS is currently on loan as a replacement for the withdrawn 6013.
Optare Solo 0447 Y47 HBT has been withdrawn with Dart 3839 KE53NFC transferring in from Luton depot. This was once one of the Darts based at High Wycombe for use on the TfL contract for the U9.
Mercedes Benz Citaro ‘bendy bus’ BL52ODK is parked up in the depot as a
source for spare parts along with ex-London Plaxton Presidents DLP85 LJ51ORL
and DLP89 LF02PKE.
Mike Penn
writes regarding transfers etc. saying
"I
didn’t know about 4713 (see above) but there are at least five others with
Arriva The Shires. 6061/2 (FD02UKP/E) have been at Aylesbury for some
months
and were renumbered into the Shires sequence. Later ones are 4712
(FE51YWK) and 4722 (PN52XBG) at Luton and 4741 (PN52XRS) at Aylesbury, all
retaining their Arriva Midlands fleet numbers. 4712 of these is the
only one in the old Arriva livery. The Aylesbury ones work into Luton
on the 70 on occasions. The Luton ones work on the 24H amongst others,
this being important as it uses Sundon Arch, the lowest bridge in the area
navigable by double decks, albeit only low height ones. Despite these
arrivals the three remaining Olympians are still in use, all having been
seen in normal service this week.
I might add
that there are also two ex Arriva Midlands Wright StreetLites in
Sapphire livery at Luton for the 321 service which is now run by Luton
garage now that Watford is confined to the TfL operation. They are
3301/2 (FJ 64 EVB/C).
There is also
an ex Arriva Midlands Wright bodied DAF at High Wycombe. This is 3705
(BF52NZR).
http://scotbus.com/?page_id=77
Arriva 3452 on the 31 leaves Eden Bus Station
Arriva 3871 on the 850 in Oxford Rd - Marlow
Arriva 3932 in MAX livery but not route branded works the 300
The "word on the block" is that such buses are being drafted in to make the
800/850 a MAX route!!
Arriva 4516 on the 31 Eden Bus Stn terminator
Arriva 4525 in Eden Bus Stn on the 33
Arriva 6300
Arriva 3777 on the 7 in Bletchley on 30th July by Nick Cherry.
Arriva 5008 in Bletchley on 6th August by Nick Cherry.
Arriva Wright Streetlite loan HRZ 6498 on Route 7 in Bletchley on 30th July
by Nick Cherry.
When I drove for Oxford Bus in 1999 these
Tridents were delivered new for the Park & Ride services and at the time
were dual doored.
I would never have imagined in my wildest dreams that one day they would be
changed so much and be operating a service to Stokenchurch.
This one often works the school day service in the afternoon to our village,
looking I must say, rather smart when seen on 8th July by Gavin Francis.
E200 422 seen from a different level on 8th
July by Gavin Francis.
Now this is interesting from two points, one that it is in an advertising
livery for the smartphone ap. Second it is on a once a day return working to
Ibstone.
This is for school children and links a village otherwise not served by any
regular bus services. Obviously the morning service works in reverse.
Nigel Peach writes "On Tuesday
(19th July), Oxford Buses' 838 (X8 OXF) was working Carousel's A40 route.
With new route X80 starting on 25th July, they'll need to draft in some
extra buses. Actually 838 would be particularly appropriate, especially if
you re-space the registration number X80 XF !
I went to the Carousel depot this evening (Sunday 31st July) in the hopes of
seeing any buses branded for the new X80 route, or maybe a Citaro on loan
from Oxford. I didn't see either, but I attach two pictures.
The first shows green 502 and white 504 together.
(I was taking the photo through railings and was so intent on not getting
the railings in the picture that I failed to notice that it is off centre
and doesn't get all of 502 in. It's also a bit dark - not the best one I've
taken!)
I then drove past the depot to turn round and was
surprised to discover that Carousel now have an open area beyond their
building where many buses were parked. (You will probably tell me that it's
been like it for months, but it was the first time I'd come across it!)
The second picture shows 419 which has at last
received fleet names. It has been plain red since returning from Thames
Travel a year or two ago and it has irritated me that it has looked so
anonymous! It looks a lot smarter now, though interestingly it has not been
branded for Red Route 1 like its sister 418.
Carousel 401 on the A40 Wycombe on 5th August by Malcolm Crowe
Carousel 403 on the X80 at Wycombe
Carousel 407 on the PR1 at Wycombe
Carousel 423 and 503 on the 39 in Wycombe
An interesting point is that I understand the company has been trialling
Solos on this route and as such 423 and 424may return to "red"!
Carousel 505 on the intermittent 28 in Wycombe
Unusually on 11th August, Gavin Francis caught this interloper, on what is
normally a new blue P&R duty,
Citaro 871 seen turning out of New Road, Stokenchurch on its way to Wycombe.
Seems that First are having problems on the 702 service from Victoria and heir Green Line liveried double decks are often replaced with various other buses from local servcie. Is this a result of the transfer of this route to Slough? I wonder!
To illustrate the point above, here we see 33179 in Bulleid Way on 11th
August taken by Gavin Francis
Flixbus are, of course, operating services into Victoria and a further selection of coaches used are featured here. Flixbus was Mein Fernbus established by two young men and follows current practice of hiring coaches from various operators to run services. Hence the Megabus deal which is planned for three years.
Thois coach is Belgian registered and is very similar to those used by
Megabus from the same country.
1-EVU-770 on Buckingham Palace Road on 7th July by Gavin Francis.
This VDL coach is French registered !DZ-580-YJ on the 700 Buckingham
Palace Road on 9th July by Gavin Francis.
Flixbus BN-UR-516 on Buckingham Palace Road on 16th July by Malcolm Crowe.
This coach is registered in Bonn, North Rhine, Westphalia!
It would appear very new as it does not have any branding as yet.
Flixbus-Staff Cars Lommel Belgium, 1-EVU-770 on Buckingham Palace Road on
16th July by Malcolm Crowe.
Heyfordian has a number of elderly coaches used
on school services. Most have cherished registrations somewhat hiding their
age.
Here we have DXZ 4630 on a school service in
STOKENCHURCH on 6th July taken by Gavin Francis.
Another similar coach is DXZ4634 seen again in
Stokenchurch on school service 914 on 8th July again by Gavin Francis.
Motts of Aylesbury Alexander "Q" type bodied Volvo B10M M455TCH
which is ex Trent 55 seen i
n Stokenchurch after working
a school service from Watlington to the village on 8th July by Gavin
Francis.
This must be one of the oldest vehicles in regular use in the Motts fleet.
Luckett's of Fareham 484808 on Elizabeth Street
branding for FREE ONBORAD ENTERTAINMENT seen on 8th July by Malcolm Crowe.
National Express's own SR140 FJ12FYR with
advertising for UK Scouting near VCS on 16th July by Malcolm Crowe.
Edwards FJ12FXC, one of several of this
company's coaches which have been debranded and yet are still used on NEx
services,
seen by VCS on 8th August by Gavin
Francis.
21 seen on day two of the new BHX operation passing through Banbury on 3rd
July by Richard Sharman.
Various coaches once the mainstay of services on Oxford Bus are turning up in service with other operators. The one featured below was on the X90 route having started life on the Airline services. It was used during the 2012 Olympics and is now with Aldermaston based TK Coaches as seen i n the series of pictures by Gavin Francis.
Coach 33 in three differing roles all by Gavin
Francis.
Confidence Leics - L154HUD at TODDINGTON GLOS
and WAR RAILWAY on 10th July by Derek Wiggins
With a variety of
buses suitable for use on the Park & Ride services, from time to time,
something unusual turns up!
On 6th July, Scania 222, was out on 300 road
with a less than perfect offside front corner!
E200 MV59ASX is seen on layover between trips on
the Marlow Bottom service on 5th August by Malcolm Crowe.
Red Rose 50514 on the 28 in Bletchley on 6th
August by Nick Cherry.
Red Rose 50502 MX61BAU in High St, Oxford on the 275 on 11th August by Nick
Cherry.
Oxfordshire
10669 nearly ready for service.A new batch of MMC E400s is arriving as I write and these are listed below. The total delivery is for 21 but we only have up to 10679 listed so far.
Registration | Chassis number | Body number | Seating | Delivered | Fleet Nr. |
SN16OYO | AD E40D SFD912BR2GGX19031 | AD G415/1 | H45/32F | 8/2016 | 10667 |
SN16OYP | AD E40D SFD912BR2GGX19032 | AD G415/2 | H45/32F | 8/2016 | 10668 |
SN16OYR | AD E40D SFD912BR2GGX19033 | AD G415/3 | H45/32F | 8/2016 | 10669 |
SN16OYS | AD E40D SFD912BR2GGX19034 | AD G415/4 | H45/32F | 8/2016 | 10670 |
SN16OYT | AD E40D SFD912BR2GGX19035 | AD G415/5 | H45/32F | 8/2016 | 10671 |
SN16OYU | AD E40D SFD912BR2GGX19036 | AD G415/6 | H45/32F | 8/2016 | 10672 |
SN16OYV | AD E40D SFD912BR2GGX19037 | AD G415/7 | H45/32F | /2016 | 10673 |
SN16OYW | AD E40D SFD912BR2GGX19038 | AD G415/8 | H45/32F | 8/2016 | 10674 |
SN16OYX | AD E40D SFD912BR2GGX19039 | AD G415/9 | H45/32F | /2016 | 10675 |
SN16OYY | AD E40D SFD912BR2GGX19040 | AD G415/10 | H45/32F | /2016 | 10676 |
SN16OYZ | AD E40D SFD912BR2GGX19041 | AD G415/11 | H45/32F | /2016 | 10677 |
SN16OZA | AD E40D SFD912BR2GGX19042 | AD G415/12 | H45/32F | /2016 | 10678 |
SN16OZB | AD E40D SFD912BR2GGX19043 | AD G415/13 | H45/32F | /2016 | 10679 |
It is intended that these buses will enter service on routes, 2, 3, 8 and 9. They have revised interiors including blue leather seats with orange trim and headrests plus Wi-Fi and power points.
10674 and 10677 just after arrival at Horspath Road and the upper deck interior showing the revised seating.Martin Sutton and Andrew
Churchill report "The following surplus vehicles post-OCC cuts are
heading for Cumbria. That leaves the four 14-plate Solos at Witney- 47451
and Solo SRs 47831-4; the two Oxford 10-plates going to Banbury for B2 and
B10 and 47658 coming from Banbury to Horspath Road for service 26 at
Bicester.
Solo 47736 on the 17C on the penultimate Sunday of Stagecoach operation.
Picture by Gavin Francis.
47736 in the workshops being prepared for transfer to Banbury - 23rd July by
Malcolm Crowe.
47735 to be transferred to Banbury and 47395 ready for transfer to Carlisle
on 23rd July by Malcolm Crowe.
47735 OU10 GFE
Optare Solo – Oxford to Banbury
47736 OU10 GFG
Optare Solo – Oxford to Banbury
47658 AJ58 RBF
Optare Solo – Banbury to Oxford
47394
|
AE56 LUL |
Optare Solo to Cumbria |
|
47395
|
AE56 LUO |
Optare Solo to Cumbria |
|
47237
|
KX55 RBY |
Optare Solo to Cumbria |
|
47239
|
KX55 RCF |
Optare Solo to Cumbria |
|
47449
|
KX56 TXN |
Optare Solo to Cumbria |
|
47450
|
KX56 TXO |
Optare Solo to Cumbria |
|
47452
|
KX56 TXR |
Optare Solo to Cumbria |
|
47453
|
KX56 TXS |
Optare Solo to Cumbria |
|
47455
|
KX56 TXU |
Optare Solo to Cumbria |
|
47454
|
KX56 TXT |
Optare Solo to Cumbria |
|
Later this month 21 E400 MMCs are due for Oxford.
Vehicle in reserve:
34471 |
KV53 NHF |
Dennis Pointer Dart |
at Oxford |
MMC 10432 on an S3 working during the recent TV
programme Countryfile which was made at Blenheim Palace,
generating a major increase in passengers and creating significant traffic
delays.
MMC 10439 on the 3, one of the routes due to
receive the latest batch of these buses.
Andy Churchill
writes
"Scania E400s 15994 and 15966 (YN64XSY/YN14PKZ)
were loaned to Stagecoach South West between the 10th and 12th June 2016 for
the Torbay Air Show mainly on the park and ride shuttle services to the
Paignton seafront. Several Stagecoach fleets such as Cambus, Cheltenham and
Gloucester, Midland Red South and London also provided buses for the
operation."
(Did anyone get
pictures of this? Ed.)
Variety on the X5 often happens. Whilst 53613 has been branded for service
99, 53618 is in basic SC livery. Pictures by Gavin Francis.
53618 was the replacement coach for one written off in a bad accident on
treacherous roads some winters ago.
It is often seen on the X5 filling in for a normal tri-axle Volvo. Pictures
by Gavin Francis.
https://www.stagecoachbus.com/regional-service-updates/west/swindon
Swindon's 15731 on the 66 but branded for 55 as
seen on 2nd August by Gavin Francis.
This use of non Gold buses and wrongly branded buses seems a feature of this
66 route!
Sister to a batch of Oxfordshire based Gold's,
15932 seen at Paignton, Devon on 4th July by Frazer
Still active in June, in spite of new coaches, ex Tube 50102 was still
around with Omega, in early June, as shown by Gavin's picture by Oxford
train station.
NAT often provide capacity for Megabus and can be seen around Victoria.
The company suffered as much as any operator in the recent County Council funded bus cutbacks as seen in our pictures below.
701 on the T2 on last day of this service, 23rd July by Gavin Francis.
706 in the last weeks of the 44 and 218
services in July16 by Richard Sharman.
707 operating in the final few Week of the 63
service in July16 by Richard Sharman.
718 and service changes now see SRs now
operating on not just Bicester Routes in July16 by Richard Sharman.
However main line services continue to be successful and much effort is put into maintaining a good service.
914 has had a recent Repaint and Tidy Up seen
in July by Richard Sharman.
One should note that the T1 Watlington service is now extended to Chinnor via Lewknor on a number of workings. This thus gives connections to the Oxford Airline and Oxford Tube services.
The timetable can be viewed at the link below:
http://www.thames-travel.co.uk/timetables-fares/oxfordshire-and-reading/t1#timetable
assets.goaheadbus.com/media/cms_page_media/2016/7/17/T1_July2016_WEB.pdf
From these timetables a connection for London can be achieved in both directions on a near hourly basis throughout the day.
Letter to the Editor
from - Hugh Jaeger
At Bus Users Oxford it's the end of more than a year of campaigning against
Oxfordshire County Council making some of the most extreme bus cuts in
Britain. We didn't achieve as much as we wanted! Last week OCC ended all
bus subsidies except Section 106 payments, and as a result wiped out 54 bus
services in one stroke.
BU Oxford will now campaign for services to be restored to communities that
now have no bus as a result of these cuts. We are also encouraging people to
use those routes that operators are trying to continue in some form without
subsidy. "Marginal" routes such as Heyfordian 81, 103, 108 and 118, Pulhams
X8 and X9, Stagecoach 15, 19 and 20, and a lot of Thames Travel routes in
Oxfordshire need all the support they can get!
In Oxfordshire ENCTS pass holders account for only 19% of bus passengers
overall, but on Oxfordshire's subsidised routes they were nearer 70% of
passengers. Oxfordshire CC remunerating operators for ENCTS trips at a rate
of only 38p in the pound has not helped the viability of those routes.
BU Oxford wants to broaden the demography of less-profitable bus services in
Oxfordshire. Therefore we are using our Twitter and Facebook accounts to
promote some of these routes. The average age of social media users is early
40s on Facebook and late 30s on Twitter. It's about time I learnt how to use
Instagram and WhatsApp to reach really younger age groups!
You will know that Thames Travel has revised several of its services and launched a new one, a revised route 17 to serve Jericho and Walton Manor. I rode it on the first day. Attached are a few of my photos in case you want any to publish on your Oxford and Chiltern Bus website.
Taken by Hugh Jaeger on 25th July, the
first day.
Trips
Readers of issue 96 will remember the visit by Gavin and myself to the Isle of Wight. I thought you might be interested in a few more pictures taken by me on the day.
I mentioned in issue 96 that the older Hovercraft were being replaced around
August time by new craft.
One is seen above at Ryde after we arrived on 7th June.
We took the 3 service from Shanklin to Ventnor on Scania 1146 seen on
arrival and passed sister 1147 en route on 7th June.
Southern Vectis really does
provide an excellent way to see the island and we always enjoy our annual
visit.
The buses are well presented and very clean, in spite of the narrow roads
and often tight timings!
Gordon Scott took a trip to Italy and provided a few interesting pictures for this issue.
ATV MAN Lions City bendi-bus 2739 taken in Bardolino Bus Station on 7th July
by Gordon Scott.
ATV MAN Lions Regio 2621 seen leaving Bardolino Bus Station on 6th July by
Gordon Scott.
A Janssen Van Hool from Wittmund in Lower Saxony, WTM-J542, in Garda Italy
on 5th July by Gordon Scott.
Bardolino is a commune in the Province of Verona in the Italian region Veneto, located about 130 kilometres west of Venice and about 25 kilometres northwest of Verona.
It's always interesting to see vehicles from other parts of the world. Thanks to Gordon Scott.
Running Days
7th Alton Classic bus & country pub running day - Saturday 16 July 2016
I had not been to Alton for this particular
running day before, in previous years having attended the ABR&RD which takes place on the Sunday following.
I have attached photographs of the Saturday event
organised by the Hants & Surrey ‘Bristol RE’ group.
Photos 2 and 5 show POD 830H on route 12, being driven beautifully by a
charming young lady.
This bus was new to Southern National, moving on to Devon General, ‘Tally
Ho’ and then into preservation.
Photo 7 has VDV 122S on route 62.New to Western National, then Southern
National, First Bus, Chepstow Classic Buses and then into preservation.
Photo 8 has OPC 26R at Alton turning into the parking up area by the
station. It is a Leyland PSU3/4R with Duple Dominant body.
It was new in 1976 to Safeguard of Guildford, then Baileys Coaches of
Folkestone, Wealden PSV (dealer), Emblings coaches of Guyhirn and then into
preservation.
Photo 9 AFM 105B was new to Crosville, then to a band in Chester, then
Northern Bus and then into preservation.
Photo 10 – XHK 221X - new in September 1981 to Eastern National as no. 3116,
then to Badgerline and then ‘A bus’ of Bristol.
Photo 11 – AAP 651T – new to Southdown, then Brighton & Hove, Wycombe Bus,
Fishwick, Alpine Travel and then into preservation.
Photo 12 – PPM 210G – Seen as the ‘Control Bus’ at Alton having recently
passed its MOT. Formerly with Southdown/BH &D.
Photo 13 – FLY 755J – Seddon Pennine 4 with Plaxton Elite body. New to Essex
Motorways, then ‘Wish you were here travel’ Suffolk, Watts of Leicester.
Photo 14 – HDL 25E – New to Southern Vectis, IOW
Photo 16 – AAE 647V – New to Bristol Omnibus Co in 1980, then Stagecoach and
then into preservation.
Photo 17 – TCD 490J – Bristol RESL with Marshall bodywork new to Southdown
in 1970,
then Cullinan Coaches, Wealden Beeline, Sussex Bus, Blue Lake and into
preservation in 1999.
Photo 18- RAH 681F – New to Eastern Counties in 1968, then Cambus, Milton
Keynes City bus, Busways Travel and into preservation in 2012.
Photo 19 – BFX 666T – New to Hants & Dorset in 1983, then Wilts & Dorset,
Damory Coaches, into preservation 2008-11 and then back to Damory Coaches!
Photo 21 – POI 2190 – New to Ulster bus in 1977 - RELL with Alexander
(Belfast body). Withdrawn in 2000 and straight into preservation.
Photo 24 – EAP 984V – New in 1980 to Southdown, then Sussex Coastline Buses,
into preservation in 1998.
Back into commercial use in 2007 with Village Coaches of Findon and back
into preservation in 2012.
A very nice picture by Nigel Peach capturing an unusual viewpoint of the A40
as it runs alongside the Rye on July 31st.
A First StreetLite working the X74 is seen heading eastwards towards Wycombe
Marsh and the M40 on its journey to Slough.
LT130 with a wrap for Magnum on the 148 on 11th
July by Gavin Francis.
"The eyes have it!" Look carefully at the eyes and you'll see they change
according your angle of view.
LT780 with a wrap for TANQUERAY working route
211, now fully served by New Routemasters, seen on 11th July by Gavin
Francis.
Other pictures
A long way from home, Mountain Goat of
Windermere's M60ATS in Frideswide Sq Oxford on 23rd July by Gavin Francis.
Whittles - now part of Johnsons - 23 YX62FLC in
Frideswide Sq Oxford on 23rd July by Gavin Francis.
Abellio LT788 on the 211 on Buckingham Palace
Road on 23rd July by Malcolm Crowe.
LTs in the 8xx series are now seeing service on the 16.
London buses new and not so new outside VCS on
23rd July by Malcolm Crowe.
Excelsior 623 BG15RPO outside VCS on 23rd July by
Malcolm Crowe.
Mike Penn's interesting web site for pictures
You might be interested to know that I have now uploaded 268 photos taken in
Beds, Bucks and Herts in the year 2000 to my website -
http://166emj.piwigo.com/index?/category/50-beds_bucks_and_herts_photographs_2000
One of the
major events of the year was the purchase by Arriva the Shires of the City
of Oxford operation in High Wycombe on December 13th. Two days later, as can
be seen from the photographs, vehicles had received Arriva The Shires fleet
names and legal lettering but retained their Oxford fleet numbers.
The other
major event was the enforced sale of the Lutonian operation by Arriva the
Shires.
Both Arriva
The Shires and Arriva East Herts & Essex continued to repaint vehicles into
Arriva livery though there were still many in previous liveries.
Elsewhere in
the region M K Metro continued their policy of purchasing various
interesting secondhand vehicles. Some of these came from Border Buses – the
company in Lancashire that M K Metro had bought.
Buffalo
Travel continued to run but Seamarks were taken over by Dunn-Line early in
the year.
Many other
independents are also represented.
Mike Penn